Panel unit sign



Jan. 17, 1933. E, L N 1,894,380

PANEL UNIT SIGN March 51; 2 Sheetssheet INVENTOR Joklz zl' wag ATT RNEYPatented 12111.17 1933 JOHN E. LONG, or MULTNOMAH, OREGON OFFICE;

I PANEL UNIT sren Application filed March 31, Serial No. 440,462. a

My invention relates to electric signs of the, type shown in the UnitedStates Re-issue Patent issued to myself December 6, 1927, whichbears'Patent No. 16,809, and more particularly to the display board orsign proper illustrated in Patent No. 1,681,491, issued August 21,1928,- to myself. v j i In such patents, a display or sign boardcomprises a bank of lights mounted upon an integral conducting faceplate, which Constitutes a common terminal for all of the lamps. Each ofthe lamps is intermittently energized thru'a separate wire and suchseparate wires constitute the other terminal for each of the lamps. F orthis reason,'it is dif-- licult to provide adequate fuses or protectivedevices for the circuits, as required by the underwriters and by theauthorities in various communities, as it is necessary to fuse eachseparate wire or to fuse the entire sign by a single fuse, such fusebeing arranged in the return circuit from such terminal plate to thesource of energy. Also because of the large number of separate wiresnecessary for feeding the individual lights, it is difficult to keep anaccurate check upon the path of each wire. "o The object of my presentinvention is to provide a sign of this character having aface platecomprising a series of panels of substantially uniform size, thusdividing the return circuit into a number of branches, each feeding aproportionately less number of outlets, such panels being arranged sideby side and being insulated fromeach other.

' A further object of my invention is to provide a sign composed ofpanels. of uniform character, in which the face plates are mounted uponan insulated. base and spaced therefrom, except upon the bounding ormarginal edges, the latter being fitted tightly to the face plate andbeing sealed relatively with the latter. A further object of myinvention is to provide a sign or display board of this character madeof panels, in which the insulating base board and the conductive faceplate areproportioned relatively to each other so that the adjacentpanels are electrically insulated from their support'from eachothersolely by the relative proportions of such'parts and -independentof auxiliary insulating means.

A further object of my invention is to so arrange the portions of theface plate'ina sign of this character that such face plate is formed toconstitute a plurality of spaced integral sockets capable of receivingand holding light bulbs having bases of the so-called bayonet types, asopposed screw bases and in this manner eliminating to those having thenecessity for providing separate sockets. I

A further object of my invention is to, provide a convenient arrangementof the connections with each ofsuchspaced sockets so that all of suchcircuits are provided with terminals grouped in predetermined'pattern toexpedite the completing and matching of such pluralityof such individualcircuits.

The details of construction and themode ofoperation are hereinafterdescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which"! Fig. 1is an elevation of two display units shown connected, as for example ina double faced sign, and shows somewhat in diagram the electricalconnections and control apparatus for such sign;

Flg. 2 1s a sectlon on a somewhat enlarged scale taken. substantially onthe line 2-2 in Fig. 1; I

Fig.3 is a somewhat similar section taken on the line 3 3 in Fig. 1;

Fig.3A shows portions Fig. 3detached and in plan; 7

Fig. 4: is a fore-shortenedsection taken on a smaller scale and onsubstantially the line 44; and j Y v 5 is a diagrammatic elevation ofthe back portion of one of the panel units embodying my invention.

I have shown my invention as being embodied in an electric sign havingtwo display boards 1 and 1a. Upon the face of each of such displayboards embodying myinvention, I arrange a plurality of alined electriclamps 2 covering substantially the entire display surface of such board.The electric circuit control apparatus for such board comprises anopen-top receptacle 3, having av body 8a, and a bottomportion 3b,preferof the" devices in I ably made of non-conducting material, becauseit is. in such bottom that the terminals 4 are embedded.

The upper surface of such bottom is plane except at the ends to receiveguide rolls 5. The terminals 4 of the electric lamps 2 are connected byconduits 6, each contact being separately connected to its correspondinglamp. A ribbon-like control element of non-conducting material such, forexample, as paper is led into such receptacle and be neath said guiderolls 5 and slidingly engages the upper surface 30 of the bottom 3?).

A body of mercury is contained within a receptacle and is adapted tooverlie such ribbon-like control element and is adapted to serve as acommon terminal for all of the terminals arranged in suchbottom 3?).Such body of mercuryis connected to the lamps 2 in'the sign l, through areturn conduit 9, having branches 9a,.which conduit is connected toasource. of supply of electric energy shown diagrammatically as a battery10. The ribbon-like control element 7, havingperforations 7a, referablyis arranged 'inendless form and is moved continuously by "a drivingelement 11. In addition to the guide rolls 5, provided within thereceptacle5 other guides 12 and 12a are provided to lead such endlessribbon-like controlinto such receptacle and out of the latter.

Each display board embodying my invention},comprises a plurality ofelectrically separated panels, such panels being shown as mounted i'ntwo opposed slotted racks 13 and 13a, which constitute the borderportions for such display board. Each panel comprises a base 14 made ofelectrically non-conductive material and spaced uniformly over such baseare a plurality of terminals 15.

Carried by such'base is an electrically conductive face plate 16, themarginal or border portions 17 and 17 a being inclined downwardly andabutting tightly against such base. These'inarginal portions of suchface plate which aline with the horizontal margin of "the display boardare finished in ogee curves respectively, so asto constitute mold- 18,which pass thru spacers 18a and except for the marginal portions, theface plate extends in a plane substantially parallel to that of thebase. Arranged in registration with theterminals 1-5 and mounted uponsuch base are apertures 19 in theface plate and the marginal portions ofsuch apertures arefianged inwardly relatively to the base to constituteintegral sockets 20. Such sockets are shown as being formed to receiveelec-' tric lights 21 of the automobile type, which lights are providedwith cylindrical bases 21a having pins or trunnions 21?) extendingradially outward from such cylindrical bases.

Such sockets have radial openings 20a for v receiving such pins ortrunnions and theportions 20?) adjacent such openings 20a are turneddownwardly and are provided with a central recess 200. The lamps arefitted in place by forcing them into the sockets and givingthem a turnof approximately so that the pins or trunnion's are adapted to fit insuch recesses 20c.v The terminals 15 Carry strips 15d of hard copperhaving a substantial degree of resiliency and are proportioned andarranged to flex to permit'the lights to be fixed in place and tobeartightly against such strips and in electrical contact therewith. Aninspection of Fig. 1 will disclose that the uniform spacing of suchapertures 19 is with c respect tothe overall width of the bases incertain respects and not with respect to the overall width of the faceplates and thus the space between the vertical rows of lights at theends of the panels is exactly equal tothe though such face plates arespaced from the adjacent panels. In standard signs, I provide a space ofapproximately one-fourth of an inch between face plates. Eachofthetermlnals 15 1s provlded with a pin 15a, which extends thru thebase and is connected with a wire22 extending across the rear surface ofsuch base. A terminal 23 is fast and preferably brazed to the face plate3.1

16 and constitutes the electrical connection with such face plate. Suchterminal preferably is a threaded brass or copper bolt and is providedwith a threaded shank 23a with which the return wire 24 for eachconnected. In each of such wires 94 1 arspacing between other verticalrows, even panel is 5:1

range fuse or protective devices 25, so that each panel of the sign isfuscd'independently of the remainder and in case that any portion of onepanel shouldbecome short-circuitcd,

its effect on such protective device or fuse would indicate'the presenceof such overloaded condition. Arranged upon theback of such'primary base14 is an auxiliary base 26 arranged along the bottom edge of such paneland being offset from the primary base .14 provides a shoulder forsupporting the weight of such panel in the lower rack 1341-, as

is apparent in Fig. 4.

The portions of the base constitut horizontal margins of the sign arearranged. to extend a substantial distance beyond the face plate andbeing uniform in thickness provide a convenient support and fasteningfor the sign. Inasmuch as the baseis made ing the ofnon-conductivematerial, the margin per, time extending beyond the faceplate are non-conductive of electricity and thus such marginal portionsprovide a supportfor the sign completely insulated from the rackswithout requiring auxiliary insulation. As is apparent in Fig. 4, theupper. rack 13 is grooved substantially deeper than'the width of themarginal portion extending therein. This is to permit the sign tobeslipped inio place to permitthe lower marginal portion to becomeseated in the lower rack 13w with thefauxilia'ry offset base 26 seatedupon the face of the rack.

Preferably carried by such auxiliary base are a series of upstandingpin-like contacts 27 preferably provided with heads 27a, which inposition lie between the auxiliary base and the primary base with theshank portions 27?) extending thru the auxiliary base. The heads of suchcontacts provide asupport for holding the pin-like terminals upright.Such terminals are arranged in groups corresponding in number to thenumber of lamps in a Vertical row on the display. board. ,Each group ispreferably offset relatively to the adjacent groups and each group isarranged in substantial alinement with the vertical row with which it isconnected by the wires 22.

The Wires 28 which constitute the remainder of the individual circuitsare fastened to connecting blocks 29 and preferabl one connecting blockis provided for each panel. Such connecting blocks are provided with aseries of perforations or recesses 29a, spaced and proportioned tocorrespond with. the spacing and proportions of the. contact pins 27,with which they are adapted to connect. The end 28a of the wires 28 arebared of insulation and passed respectively thru the proper perforationsin the connecting block 29. Thus when the connecting block is arrangedin alinement with the contacts 27, the perforations with the wiresvassociated there'- With are arranged in registration with the terminalsand fit tightl thereover.

When two display boards 1 and 1a, as shown in Fig. 1, are connected forsimultaneous. operation, such for example as in a double-faced sign, thepanels of each sign corresponding with each other are connected togetherby wires formed into cable-sand provided with contacts which are aduplicate of the ones providedfor the wires 28. This is diagrammaticallyillustrated in Fig. 1, in which such wires are illustrated as beingconnected together into short-length cables 30 and connected across toopposite ends of the sign. The terminals are arranged to exend asufficient. distance thru the auxiliary block so that two connectingblocks can be arranged thereon and can be electrically connectedtherewith. 1

I claim:

1. In an electric sign of the character described, including a displayboard, such board comprising a plurality of uniform separately removablepanels, each electricallyseparated from theothers and consisting'of anelectrically non-conductive base, a plurality of terminals arrangedthereon, an electrically conductive faceplate carried by such base, suchface plate being provided with'apertures arranged in registry with suchterminals, means adjacent such 'apertures'to constitute lightreceivingsockets and an electric circuit, one portion comprising aplurality ofbranches, each serving as an individual electrical connection for one ofSllCll'.l78IH1lIl&lS and an other portion serving as a common returnconnection for the face plate of such panel. a 2. In an electric sign ofthe character described, including a display board, such boardcomprising a pluarlity' of uniform panels, each electrically separatedfrom the others and consisting of an electrically non-conductive base, aplurality of terminals arranged thereon, an electricallyconductive faceplate carried by such base, suchface plate be provided with aperturesarranged in registry with such terminals, means adjacent such aperturesto constitute light-receiving sockets, an electric circuit, one portioncomprising a plurality ofbranches, each serving as an individualelectrical connection for one of such terminals and another portionserving as a common return connection for the face plate of such paneland a fuse element arranged in such common return connection.

- 3. In an electric sign of the characierde scribed,includinga displayboard, such board comprising an electrically non-conductive base, aplurality of terminals arranged there-- on, spaced uniformly over thesurface of said base an electrically conductive face plate carried bysuch. base, individual electric circuits connected to such'terminals anda series of alined-contacts carried by the base portion and spaced'fromsaid terminals inpredeiermined groups, each of such terminal circuitsincluding a conduit'leading to one of said contacts, the latter beingarranged upon the base atone edge thereof.

4. In an electric sign of the character described, including a displayboard, such board comprising an electrically. non-conductive base, aplurality of terminals arranged thereon, spaced uniformly over thesurface of said base an electrically conductive face plate carried bysuch base, individual electric circuit-s connected to such terminals, aseries of alined contacts carried by the base portion and spaced fromsaid terminals in predetermined groups, each of such terminal circuitsincluding a conduit leading to one of said cont-acts,

the latter being arranged upon the base at one edge thereof, thecontacts in each group being arranged in predetermined relation.

5. In an electric sign of the character described, including a displayboard, such board comprising 7 a primary electrically nonconductivebase,-'a plurality of terminals'arranged thereon, an electricallyconductive face plate carriedby such base, individual electric circuitsconnected to such terminals, a series of contacts carried by the primarybase portion, each of such terminal circuits including a conduit leadingto one of a series of contacts, the latter being arranged upon the'base,and carried by a removable auxiliary non-conductive base fastened to andoffset from the surface of such primary base.

6. In an electric sign of the character described, including a displayboard, such board comprising a primary electrically n n-conductive base,a plurality of terminals arranged thereon, an electricallyconductiveface plate carried by such base, individual electric circuits connectedto such terminals, a series of contacts carried by the primary baseportion, each of'such terminal circuits including a conduit leading toone of a series of contacts, the latter being arranged upon the base andcarried by a removable auxiliary non-conductive base fastened to andoffset from the surface of such primary base, such contacts comprisingpins having head poitions lying between such bases and shanks extendingthru such auxiliary base.

7. In an electric sign of the character described, including 'a displayboard, such board comprising a plurality of grouped elements, eachconsisting of an electrically nonconductive base, a plurality ofterminals arranged thereon, an electrically conductive face platecarried by such base, individual electric circuits connected to suchterminals, a series of contacts carried by the base portion of eachgroup, each of such terminal circuits including av controller and aconduit leading to one of a series of contacts, the latter beingarranged upon the base, such series of contacts being arranged ingrouped relation in such series and individual conduits connecting theterminals With such controller, such conduits for each group beingphysically connected but electrically separated by a connecting blockthe latter provided With connectionsgrouped and spaced to connectelectrically With such panel contacts.-

8. In an electric sign of the'cliaracter described, incliiding a displayboard, such board comprising a plurality of uniform panels eachconsisting of an electrically nonconductive base, a plurality ofterminals arranged thereon, an electrically conductive face platecarried by such base, such face plate being provided With aperturesarranged in registry With such terminals, individual electric circuitsconnected to such terminals and individual electric circuits from theface plates of such panels, a series of contacts carried by the baseportion of each panel, each of such terminal circuits including acontroller and a conduit leading to one of a serie's'of contacts, thelatter besuch conduits for'each panel being physi- V cally connected butelectrically separated by a connecting blockthe latter provided withconnections grouped and spaced to connect electrically with suchpanelcontacts. 9. In an electric sign of the characterdescribed,including a plurality of separated display boards adapted forsimulta'ieous manipulation, each board comprising a plurality of groupedelements each consisting of an electrically non-conductive base,a plura1ity of terminals arranged thereon, an electrically conductive face-platecarriedby such base, individual electric circuits connected to suchterminals, individual electrical circuitsconnecting the elements of eachdisplay board to be manipulated simultaneously, the electrical conduitsdefining such circuits being physically connected With each other butelectrically separated by insulating connecting blocks adapted to engagethe contacts on e cli display board. i

10. In an electric sign of the character described, including aplurality of separated display boards adapted for simultaneousmanipulation, eachboard comprising a plu-- rality of uniform panels, anelectrically nonconductive base, a plural ty of terminals arrangedthereon, an electrically conductive face platecarried by such base, suchface plate being provided With apertures arranged iii registry With suchterminals, individual electric circuits connected to such terminals andindividual electric circuits from the face plates of such panels,individual electrical circuits connecting the elements of each displayboard to be manipulated simultaneously, the electrical conduits definingsuch circuits being physically connected With each other butelectrically separated by insulating connecting blocks adapted to engage the contacts on each display board.

11. In an electric sign of the character de scribed, including aplurality of separated display boards adapted for simultaneousmanipulation, each board comprising a plurality of uniform panels, anelect *ically nonconductive base, a plurality of terminalsan rangedthereon, an electrically conductive face plate carried by such base,such face plate being providedv with apertures. arranged in registrywith such terminals, iiidividual electric circuits from the face platesof such panels, a series of contacts carried by the base portion of eachpanel, each of such terminal circuits including a controller and aconduit leading to one of'a series of contacts, the latter beingarranged upon the base, such series of contacts being arranged ingrouped relation in-su'cli series, individ- 3 ets.

14:. In an electric sign of the character de-- ual conduits connectingthe terminals with such controller such conduits for each panel beingphysically connected but electrically separated by a connecting blockthe latter provided with connections grouped and spaced to connectelectrically with such panel contacts and individual electrical circuitsconnecting the elements of each display board to be manipulatedsimultaneously, the connections providing such circuits also beingphysicallyv connected but electrically separated by connecting blocksadapted to engage the contacts on each display board.

12. In an electric sign of the character described, including a displayboard, such board comprising an electrically non-conductive base, aplurality of terminals arranged thereon in uniform alined spacedrelationship, an electrically conductive face plate carried by suchbase, theyborder portions of such face plate abuttingcloselyagainst suchbase thereby sealing such plate with the latter, and auxiliary devicesarranged across the central portions spacing the latter uniformly fromsaid base, such face plate being provided with apertures arranged inregistry with such terminals and means adjacent such apertures toconstitute light-receiving sockets.

13. In an electric sign of the character described, including a displayboard, such board comprising an electrically non-c0nductivebase, aplurality of terminals arranged thereon in uniform alined spacedrelation ship, an electrically conductive face plate carried by suchbase, the border portions of such face plate flanged downwardly towardsuch base thereby stiffening said face plate,

and auxiliary devices arranged across thecentral portions spacing thelatter uniformly from said base, such face plate being provided withapertures arranged in registry with such terminals and means adjacentsuch apertures to constitute light-receiving sockscribed, including adisplay board, such board comprising an electrically n0n-conduc tivebase, a plurality of-terminals arranged thereon in uniform alined spacedrelationship, an electrically conductive face plate carried by suchbase, such face plate being pro vided with apertures arranged inregistry with such terminals, means adjacent such I apertures toconstitute light-receiving sockets and the ends of the base portions ofeach panel extending beyond the face portions a substantial distance toprovide an insulated marginal support for such panels.

15. In an electric sign of the character described, including adisplayboard, such board comprising an electrically non-conductive base, aplurality of terminals arranged thereon in uniform alined spacedrelationship, an electrically conductive face plate carried by suchbase, suchface plate being provided with apertures arranged in registrywith such terminals, means adjacent such apertures :to constitutelight-receiving sockets and the ends of the base portions of each panelextendingbeyond the faceportions a substantial distance to provide aninsulated emarginalsupportforsuch panels, the ends of with aperturesarranged in registry with such terminals, means adjacent such aperturesto constltute light-receiving sockets and the opposed edge of such faceplates in ad jacent panels being foreshortened with respect to theirbases thereby being spaced apart when the base portions of adjacentpanels are arranged in abutment.

17. In an electric sign of the character described, including a displayboard, such board coni'prising a plurality vof panels each consisting ofanelectrically non-conductive base, a plurality of terminals arrangedthereonin uniform alined spaced relationship, an electrically conductiveface plate carried by such base, such face plate being provided withapertures arranged in registry with such' terminals, means adjacent suchapertures to The opposed edges of such face plates in adjacentconstitute light-receiving sockets.

panels being foreshortened with respect to their bases thereby beingspaced apart when the base portions of adjacent panels are arranged inabutment, such apertures and terminals being spaced with relation to thedi mensionsof the base thereby making such spacing longitudinally ofsuch sign uniform thruout.

18. In an electric sign of the character described, including a displayboard, said board comprising'a' plurality of uniformseparately removablepanels, each panel beingelectrically separated from the others andcomprising an electrically non-conductive base, a plurality of terminalsarranged thereon, an elec Itrically conductive face plate carried bysaid base, such faceplate being provided with apertures arrangedin'registry with such terminals, means located adjacent each of saidapertures and constituting light-re'ceiving sockets, an electriccircuit, one portion comprising a plurality of branches, each branchserving as an individual electric connection for one of said terminals,and another. portion serving as a] common return colihedtieri foi theface plate (if such panel, ind a protective device limiting excesscurient, which device i common to all of the te'ffiiifiml of said panel,arranged in said r.e- 5 tuiti connection. Iii testimdhy whereof he hasaffixed his signatilre;

JOHN E. LONG;

